Sand Creek Township

Monthly Meeting Minutes

December 2nd, 2021

DRAFT

Officers Present

Chairman Chad Sandey, Supervisor Bruce Hunstad, Supervisor Bill Schneider, Treasurer Myron Pauly, Clerk Maggie Gallentine, and Deputy Clerk Emily Nordick

 

Others Present

Matt Stordahl – Stantec, Curt Hennes – PLSLWD, Bob Wolf, and Todd Dvorak.

 

Called to Order

The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 7:04pm by Chairman Chad Sandey. The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Due to COVID-19 we are practicing safe social distancing.

 

Minutes

Minutes for the November meeting were presented to the Board. Motion to accept the November Meeting Minutes by Bruce, second by Bill, Unanimous at 7:05pm. Motion to erase the November recording of minutes by Bill, second by Bruce, Unanimous at 7:06pm.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer’s Report for December was submitted by Myron. Xcel Energy power lines are complete. Matt and Bill to work on hours and bill Xcel Energy Escrow balances. Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report by Bruce, second by Bill, Unanimous at 7:09pm.

 

Monthly Claims

 

                        Dvorak Excavating (grading, gravel)                            $  18,206.00

                        Couri & Ruppe (general legal)                                     $    1,025.00

                        MATIT (Worker’s Compensation invoice)                     $       905.00

                        New Prague Mini Storage (Dec. rent)                           $       113.00

                        Maggie Gallentine (cell phone)                                    $       104.42

                        Bill Schneider (mileage, snow fence supplies, bob cat) $       355.69

                        Stantec (General Eng & Berkshire project)                   $    8,163.00

Payroll                                                                         $       975.00

Payroll                                                                         $       305.00

Payroll                                                                         $       555.00

Payroll                                                                         $       555.00

Payroll                                                                         $       660.00

Payroll                                                                         $       700.00

 

 

                                                            Total                                         $  32,564.11

 

Motion by Bruce to accept the monthly charges as read, second by Bill, Unanimous at 7:16pm.

 

 

Public Comment:  None

 

 

BUSINESS/DISCUSSION:

 

Sheriff’s Department: Deputy Strack spoke about the Report that listed 40 calls for service, down from 57 last month: 13 medical, 11 accidents, 2 missing persons (same person at Valley View), 1 drug possession, 1 conservation (hunting complaints), and 1 suspicious.

 

Prior Lake Spring Lake Watershed District:  Curt Hennes noted that three Manager positions terms are ending in 2022. Board interviews are being held in January. Bids for work in 2022 for accounting, legal, and engineering. 2023 will be large scale inground projects in Spring Lake Township as they are seeking grant money to end bad water coming into the system.

 

Stantec: Matt Stordahl provided updates on the following Projects/Topics: Budget Proposal for Geotech services: While creating the budget, Braun was delayed in submitting their bid, so Stantec took the Braun bid for $5K from Pueblo & Xanadu project and used that. Stantec will absorb the overage. MNDOT said soil borings would be included in the work for acceleration lanes, and then came back as said they didn’t have them. Stantec had Braun doing the borings in the same trip as their other work which caused a scope change of $5K. Motion by Chad to authorize his signature of the letter after the meeting when Maggie has a chance to get it published, second by Bill, Unanimous at 7:34pm. Berkshire Extension: East side of 169 on Bluff Drive, as the road is coming down from the bridge, the grades don’t exactly meet. We want to tie the road from the overpass to Berkshire and minimize the impact to Berkshire as that is being built first then overpass is constructed. Matt, Pat and Brandon are going to discuss ideas. They want to ensure no changes are made to areas that MNDOT has already approved, easements or wetland as it will affect the schedule. There is 0.1 acre of trees on the north side of Cemstone in the right-of-way that needs to be cleared for the project. Dvorak Excavating has been requested to provide an estimate. There is money in the project budget to take care of it. Need to talk to Diane (MNDOT) about getting reimbursed for the work. TH 169 Overpass Project: Matt is working with Brandon on getting the 1-page updated to include larger area for soliciting for funding. Try to roll it into 1 package. One color for Berkshire Project, one color for 169 Overpass Project, one color for Sand Creek Township Projects and one color for all other projects. Bruce said Lisa Freese has agreed that the Township projects should be included as the County looks at this area as one big project that needs to be completed in the same timeframe. Once the 1-page is complete, write a letter to Scott County Board to extend duration of sales tax.  A cooperative agreement between Scott County and Sand Creek Township for the Overpass Project which includes what the County will and will not pay for. Bob Ruppe will review the agreement on our behalf. ARPA Funds: Matt spoke with Jeff Kreuger and are cautiously optimistic that there will be township related projects (road work) for funding use. We have been told to not spend the money too soon.

 

Snow Trails Permit: Bruce noted that Jordan did approve at the City Council meeting to approve the trail to run up into Jordan to the new parking lot behind Pickled Pig. Chief Empey presented the plan in Jordan, including the 10mph speed limit and a curfew. The permit has been signed by Jordan. Once that was approved, the River Valley Trailblazers Club got the insurance updated. Anything to do with the snowmobile trail liability is covered under Scott County Snow Trails organization. The trails run from the existing trail on Hwy 13 to both sides of Hwy 282 to Morlock Drive (south side) to 282 to East Street to First Street to downtown parking lot behind the Pickled Pig. A map will be added to the News section of the Township website. A marking campaign (signage) will be done on Morlock Drive (to stay on shoulder) with every other sign is an arrow pointing down for marking the trail. There was a discussion with Todd Dvorak about sign locations vs snowplow blade. Motion by Bruce to sign permit for the new snowmobile trail to go through Morlock into Jordan, seconded by Chad, and Bill against (Nay).

 

VEGA Funds: VEGA Funds are used as funding for election equipment. Our equipment doesn’t expire until 2025, so we are going to pass. Next year if funding is available, we will apply for those funds.

 

Website Update and Task List: Emily added the Bonding Tour images at By The Yard and SCALE video links to the News section. Bruce to send a map and text for new snowmobile trail. Maggie to send out agenda and request feedback before adding to website. Emily to note “Draft” for the agenda posted before the meeting and “Final” after the meeting. Task List: Bruce to generate letters of funding support to County Commissioners and local Legislators added to TH 169 Corridor/Overpass Project. Analysis of Jordan Ave, and Bluff Drive design assigned to Matt under Sand Creek Township Projects. Chad asked to add the allocation of ARPA funds to the Task List.

 

REPORTS/DISCUSSIONS:   

 

Bruce Hunstad: Bruce attended the 169 Overpass and PMT meeting. He spoke with Lisa Freese about support from the County, layout, funding activities and letters to County Commissioners and Legislators. He helped Bill install snow fence posts on Zumbro and Golfview Drive. He mentioned the Minnesota Transportation Alliance is having a MNDOT Workshop on December 16th from 11am to 4pm about MNDOT projects happening in the area. The cooperative agreement for Overpass Project with Scott County will need to be sent to Bob Ruppe for review.

 

Bill Schneider:  Bill attended the SCALE meeting. SCALE is going to request bonding for TH 169/Hwy 282/9 intersection. They also want to reform Met Council. He also attended SCTA (Scott County Township Association) meeting.

 

Road Report:  Bill noted that blacktop has been patched on Golfview Drive, snow fence posts have been installed in two locations, roads are ok but not great. He has not started cutting trees on South Sutton Blvd. Motion by Chad to approve the Bill’s Road Report, second Bruce, Unanimous at 8:56pm.

 

Chad Sandey:  Chad attended Scott County Township Association meeting. District 1 is seeking two applicants for Planning Commission. Weed proposal to join forces to approach county wide weed control the same way. January SCALE meeting is being hosted by Scott County Township Association. SCTA is hoping Jeff Kreuger (Minnesota Association of Townships Director) will be speaking at that SCALE meeting. Discussion about letter sent to Todd with list of tasks. Informed Todd Dvorak about need for estimate to remove trees where Berkshire extension project goes through. Next Scott County Township Association meeting is scheduled for March 16th, 2022.

 

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:09pm by Bruce, second by Bill, Unanimous.

 

Submitted By: _____________________________________________________

Emily Nordick, Deputy Clerk

 

 Approved by ______________________________________________________

Chairman, Chad Sandey